SMOKING CESSATION TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE MISUSERS IN EARLY RECOVERY - A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Recent surveys have documented the very high incidence of smoking amon g treatment populations of alcohol and other drug misusers. While the health risks of smoking are well-documented in the literature, addicti ons professionals have traditionally been reluctant to address the pro blem of nicotine dependence with their clients. Recently, researchers have begun to investigate the impact of smoking cessation treatment on substance misusers who are also nicotine dependent. The purpose of th is paper is to provide addictions treatment professionals with an over view of the research in this area and to highlight gaps in the knowled ge base. In addition, this paper will review recent developments in th e treatment of nicotine dependence and discuss their applicability to nicotine-dependent persons who are in treatment for the misuse of alco hol or another drug.